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Britain

Britain
The latest breaking news and stories on the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe which includes England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the world’s sixth largest economy. Also covering the UK’s relationship with the European Union (EU) post Brexit, as well as with China, plus commentary and updates on the UK’s economy, politics, society and social issues.
Capital
London
Head of State
King Charles III
King Charles III
Head of Government
Prime Minister Keir Starmer
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping when they met in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2025. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump warns he ‘may delay’ China visit in demand for countries to secure Hormuz

Some allies say no to ships, after US president demands at least seven countries help secure the strategic waterway.

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Israel-Iran conflict

Police arrest 12 as hundreds join banned pro-Palestinian march in London

Hong Kong society

Influencer Andrew Tate, facing rape charges in 2 countries, parties in Hong Kong

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Fame and celebrity

Meet Eddie Burns, Olivia Dean’s rumoured boyfriend

The Chicago native, who has worked with indie singer Clairo, keeps his romantic life private, although the pair was seen in matching outfits at Wimbledon.

Olivia Dean and Eddie Burns arrived at Wimbledon last July in matching outfits. Photo: Getty Images
China-EU relations

Tariffs and distrust: EU’s bid to ditch China hits capacity problems

‘Thinly spread’ bloc seeks this week to thrash out memorandum on critical minerals with the US, eyeing a more formal instrument down the road.

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Asean

Southeast Asia’s scam compound survivors suffer in stigma and silence

Many survivors return home to inhabit a murky space between victim and offender, with few support services to help them reintegrate.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war: Trump urges China, other nations, to send warships to secure Hormuz

The president insisted that Iran’s military capability had been eliminated but admitted it was still able to attack the strait.

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The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon preparing recently to depart for the Eastern Mediterranean to bolster British defences in the region. Photo: UK MOD via Reuters
Hong Kong

My Take | Mandelson scandal could be the tipping point that costs Starmer his job

Episode has cost China not only a British politician prepared to work for better ties but also potentially a prime minister willing to do business with it.

UK economy

UK eyes ‘targeted’ support for households amid rising energy costs

Finance chief Rachel Reeves says there are plans to help those vulnerable to sharp rises in energy prices, especially those who rely on heating oil.

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China travel

Here are 5 ways to enter China without a visa – by land, sea or air

China has continually expanded its visa-free policies in recent years. Here is a breakdown of the latest rules.

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A police officer helps an American tourist fill out an entry registration card at Beijing Capital International Airport. Photo: Xinhua
Jeffrey Epstein

UK’s ex-prince Andrew and Peter Mandelson pictured in bathrobes with Epstein

This is thought to be the first photo unearthed of the two men with the late US sex trafficker.

An undated image shows Jeffrey Epstein (centre) sitting with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson. Photo: US Department of Justice via AP
Science

Deadly strike on Iran primary school raises questions about AI use in war

While cutting-edge technologies process vast amounts of data, human decisions remain the focal point when systems fail, observers say.

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US, Israel war on Iran

UK says Russia, Iran trying to ‘hijack global economy’ amid Hormuz closure

Foreign Secretary Cooper said Moscow and Tehran ‘benefit together’ from soaring oil prices.

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Crime

‘The Witch’: British mum who kept woman as ‘house slave’ for 25 years is jailed

The victim, who has a learning disability, was deprived of food, forced to do manual labour and assaulted by Amanda Wixon, the court heard.

Amanda Wixon, 56, of Tewkesbury in England, was jailed for 13 years on Thursday for forcing a woman with a learning disability to work as a “house slave” for more than 25 years. Photo: Gloucestershire Constabulary
Keir Starmer

UK PM Starmer admits his ‘mistake’ in appointing Mandelson as US ambassador

Starmer faces fresh questions about his judgment over the appointment despite being warned of Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, with Britain’s former US ambassador Peter Mandelson in 2025. Photo: Pool Photo via AP
Science

Israel’s 90 nuclear warheads make any strike on Iran ‘really dangerous’: expert

Policy head of Nobel Peace Prize-winning group sounds alarm over possible intentional or accidental use of weapons.

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My Life

Jane Houng: musician, author – and mother of a murdered child

The founder of Becky’s Button tells how she channelled the grief from losing her daughter into tackling gender-based violence.

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Law

Legal Tales | Graham A. Harris, a giant of the Hong Kong Bar

Harris, who died on March 10, joins select group elected as Life Members.

On February 20, the Bar elected Graham A. Harris SC as a Life Member, the ninth. Photo: Handout
Scams and swindles

150,000 Meta accounts shut down in Southeast Asian scam centre crackdown

Meta has also launched protective tools such as Facebook and WhatsApp alerts for suspicious friend requests and activities.

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Jeffrey Epstein

UK PM Starmer was warned of ‘reputational risk’ in appointing Mandelson

The concerns were raised in a document sent to Starmer in December 2024 before he appointed Mandelson as US ambassdor.

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Insurance

Hong Kong marine insurers gain edge over London with cheaper war-risk cover

Hong Kong’s special pool offers cheaper war cover for 10 Chinese ships in the Gulf, bolstering the city’s role as a marine insurance hub.

A special pool, backed by five Hong Kong insurers, offers 10 mainland China ships up to US$130 million in compensation against war and emergency risks. Photo: Elson Li
Crime in Hong Kong

Chinese embassy warns nationals in UK of scammers posing as Hong Kong ICAC staff

Fraudsters posing as anti-corruption officials targeting Chinese nationals into transferring funds, embassy warns.

The Chinese embassy in the United Kingdom has warned nationals of scammers impersonating ICAC staff to steal funds and personal data. Photo: Google Maps
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong urged to extend stock trading hours to keep up with rivals

Competitors moving towards near 24-hour trading to capture liquidity, Our Hong Kong Foundation’s Kenny Shui tells SCMP forum.

‘Like the Blitz’: vape shop blaze closes Glasgow railway station

The fire also led to several businesses being wrecked amid the collapse of most of an ‘iconic’ four-storey building by the transport hub.

Crime

Northern Ireland’s Gerry Adams, 77, in UK court for trial over IRA bombings

Adams has always denied being an IRA member, although he has ‌long faced accusations that he was involved in its killing campaign.

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams arrives on Monday at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, where a civil claim is being brought against him. Photo: via AP
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump and Starmer hold call on Middle East after rebuke over Iran

Phone call came after Trump mounted his latest criticism of the British leader over a perceived lack of support for the US campaign against Iran.

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US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in September 2025. Photo: No 10 Downing Street via dpa
Japan

80 years on, gender gap persists in Japanese politics

New research shows there has been little change since women in Japan first exercised their right to vote nearly 80 years ago.

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Fame and celebrity

Timothee Chalamet faces the music for saying ‘no one cares’ about opera, ballet

Performance groups around the world clapped back at the Hollywood star’s remarks, while a German minister invited him to watch a show.

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